LIFE PROMETHEUS Presents Sustainable Fisheries Strategies at Workshop for Recreational Fishers in Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus, March 6, 2025 – The LIFE PROMETHEUS project , coordinated by the Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) and co-financed by the EU LIFE+ Funding Programme, hosted a workshop for recreational fishers on sustainable fisheries in Limassol, Cyprus, on March 6, 2025. The event, which took place at the Pefkos Hotel, attracted 18 recreational fishers and representatives from local fisher associations, including SISEAL, OFEK, and the Blue Instinct Freediving Center.

The workshop was part of an ongoing initiative to protect Cyprus’ fishery resources, focusing on a dynamic co-management model that encourages a bottom-up, participatory approach. This model engages fishers and stakeholders in research, capacity building, and data-driven decision-making to conserve Limassol’s marine resources.

A major highlight of the event was the introduction of the LIFE PROMETHEUS project and its innovative actions aimed at reducing the bycatch of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). One of the project’s key strategies involves the use of magnetic deterrents in fishing gear, designed to minimize unintentional captures.

Angelos Pechlivanis from MER also spoke about guitarfish, emphasizing the activities that will be implemented under the project’s WP4, which will focus on the protection and sustainable management of these vulnerable species.

This workshop represents a significant step in fostering collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and recreational fishers, ensuring that sustainable practices are prioritized and local communities are actively involved in preserving the marine environment for future generations.